Sistersville Oil and Gas Festival 1994

SHOW REPORT

Lee Howell

| May/June 1995

20 HP Half Breed South Penn.

Rt. 1 Middlebourne, West Virginia 26149

Again the Old Gas Engine Show at Sistersville, West Virginia,
Oil and Gas Engine Festival was a big success. Thank goodness for
the added space which relieved the cramped conditions, in spite of
the record number (460) of engines displayed!

There are several people we need to thank for their help in
putting on this fine show. Wib and Roxy Anderson, chairmen, and son
Fred did an outstanding job working overtime placing the exhibitors
as they arrived. Also Earl and Martha Braddock did their share in
helping out as well. We have oil companies that sponsor this show,
which has helped make this city and area what it is, that being a
quiet little city rich in oil history. One can take but a short
walk from the festival grounds and see three oil tycoons'
mansions, and a short walk in the other direction will bring you
downtown where the grand 'old' Wells Inn, still with its
historic charm, caters to many festival visitors.

Being directly along the beautiful Ohio River, a short walk to
the ferry will take you to Fly, Ohio, where there is a tasty little
restaurant overlooking the river and festival. Enough wandering
back to the show!

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There were displays of many engines in every setting such as oil
pumping rigs, fullsize and models, and several large oil field
engines, some of which have sisters who are still at labor in the
surrounding hills.

Thirteen states were represented in the display area. Many
states were also represented by visitors, some looking for one of
those old gas engines that's been retired in the oil field to
'take back home.'

The oil field engines in attendance were: Pattin, Bessemer,
South Penn, half-breeds, Spang, Reid, and Able. By featuring oil
field engines next year, I look for that number to increase.
Another note to those who haven't shown their engines at
Sistersville, you can camp with your display.

The large tent at the festival housed many arts and crafts. A
working display of the endless cable pumping system of Volcano,
West Virginia, oil fields is always an interesting attraction.

Every evening the live stage music draws an ample audience. With
many other things going on it makes this a nice show to visit.

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